Catalytic Activation of Cis-Vicinal Diols by Boronic Acids: Site-Selective Acylation of Carbohydrates

Site-selective acylation of unprotected carbohydrates by using stable, storable, and easily handled imidazole-containing organoboronic acid catalysts is described. This catalytic process with low catalyst loading enables the introduction of a wide variety of acyl functional groups into the equatorial position of cis-vicinal diols in unprotected hexapyranosides with excellent site selectivity. This is the first example that uses a Lewis base-containing boronic acid to enhance the nucleophilicity of hydroxy groups.